Advice needed on breed options

Well, I'm sure you have more experience than me, but I'm partial to silkies, and my daughter (age 8) is too. They are great layers, cold tolerant and so sweet, especially when mature (they were skittish babies). They are gentle and easy to hold (light and docile, much less prone to wiggle/flap away). They don't eat much either, and their messes are smaller. We have EE's and love them too, but if I had to pick a chicken to work with intensively, it would definitely be a silkie.

 

I've been raising chickens for 50 years (dozens of breeds including Silkies) and I have to respectfully disagree with lilpeepers about the Silkies lay rate. Silkies, while they are sweet, gentle, adorable, friendly, and funny little birds that make great lap pets, are not very good layers and their eggs are small. In addition, they frequently go broody during which time they don't lay at all (but they make great sitters and mothers). Based on your criteria (good layers and small combs), I would suggest Brahmas or Wyandottes. Both breeds are good layers with small combs (pea combs for the Brahmas, rose combs for the Wyandottes) that are virtually impervious to frostbite. You will get three to four large eggs per week per hen from these three breeds. Whatever breed you choose for your granddaughter's 4H, good luck with your flock. )

 

I meant to say from these "two" breeds. Sorry about the typo.

 

Brahmas
Wyandottes
Dominiques


Those are going to be your top choices, I believe. Of those I'd personally go with a Wyandotte, but it's a personal decision. Brahmas have feathered legs, so that's something to consider when housing show birds--you need a nice dry area. They also mature slowly.

Buckeyes could be another breed to consider.